The
Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce will honor nine businesses and
individuals at the annual Chamber Awards Gala on Friday, June 8, at the Niagara
Falls Country Club in Lewiston. The annual awards gala begins at 6 p.m. and
includes an evening of live music, a silent auction, table wines donated by
local wineries and businesses, and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a sit-down
dinner and awards program.

Youngstown
Business of the Year

The Youngstown Business & Professional Association has
chosen Ashker's Café and Ice Cream Shop as the 2012 Youngstown Business of the
Year. Ashker's is located at 400 Main St., in the heart of the Village of
Youngstown and has been a favorite of residents and tourists for the past six
years. Additional Ashker's locations are found in the Village of Lewiston and
on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo.

The YBPA is an active organization and Cheryl Butera,
association president, provided some of the reasons why Ashker's is so
deserving of the award. "The businesses in Youngstown chose Ashker's due to
their presence in the village as a family-oriented and family-friendly
business," says Butera. "The consensus with all of the local businesses is that
with improved municipal parking coupled with the adjunct of dinner cruises
being offered by the owners of the 'Black Pearl' (the Alexanders, Ashker's will
be then able to extend their hours past 3 p.m., as well as extend their menu.
During the summer months there is a need for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
dinner offerings. With more people visiting Youngstown, Ashker's has agreed to
extend the menu to accommodate the needs of the community.

"The idea is 'if we build it they will come' and the
spirit of being a team player is not lost on the Ashker family!" Butera
continues. "When 'they do come' Ashker's will step up to the plate to make
visitors feel welcome and walk away feeling they really did visit 'Mayberry' -
the term the late Mayor Neil Riordan used fondly to refer to Youngstown."

Ashker's is truly a family-run business, with Angelo at
the helm overseeing all aspects of the business, Ron and Angie seen daily in
Youngstown, and Margie who splits her time between Lewiston and Youngstown. You
can always find a member of the family at one of the locations at all times.
The business model has a unique approach. It is based on Matthew 6:33, "But
seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all of these things
will be added unto you." This verse has guided the family in creating a business
that is centered on their faith, family and community.

Around six years ago, the intention was to sell ice cream in
Youngstown. They stripped the building of the restaurant interior, and replaced
the floors, equipment and ceiling, but wanted to try to retain as much original
character as possible. The familiar boat counter was kept, and the original
1840 brick wall was exposed. The kitchen was re-designed to suit a menu of
homemade breakfast and lunch options. Ashker's also brews top quality coffees
and serves specialty coffee and teas, and fresh juice and smoothie beverages.
Ice cream is sold seasonally, making Ashker's a favorite stop for kids who
participate in soccer nearby.

Providing a welcoming atmosphere is important to the Ashker
family. The Youngstown location is host to many church groups who meet, and is
popular among families and children after programs at the library, pre-school
classes and dance lessons. Baby showers, birthdays and business meetings also have
been scheduled after regular business hours.

Free Wi-Fi is also available, which creates an added benefit to
patrons to linger a little longer on their laptop, while enjoying a hot cup of
fresh coffee. Many summer tourists on their way to or from Fort Niagara find
their way to Ashker's and enjoy breakfast or lunch on the outdoor patio.

Ashker's has hosted many Youngstown Business & Professional
Association meetings and is an active member in the association. They
participate in supporting many local events, including the Village Picnic, Here
Comes Summer Street Dance, the upcoming Town of Porter Founders' Day Festival,
and many other community events.

The business is always looking at ways to grow and expand, proving
that their business model works. The next step for the ice cream parlor is to
increase the seating area for customers and create a larger room where
children's birthday parties can be held. The Elmwood Avenue location will host
a dinner theater program on April 14 and the Lewiston location will open in the
next few weeks. Ashker's is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with
the ice cream parlor open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in season.

The Youngstown Business & Professional Association and the
Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulate Ashker's Café and
Ice Cream Shop as the 2012 Youngstown Business of the Year.